LeBron scores 32; Cavs clinch division crown

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

The Cavaliers clinched their second straight outright Central Division championship Wednesday night — and Mo Williams went home disappointed.

LeBron James had 32 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in Cleveland’s 99-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

With the win, Cleveland (54-15) became the first team this season to clinch a division title.

Williams spent last summer and the early part of this season trying to cherish the little things along Cleveland’s bid to win an NBA championship. The first milestone passed by Wednesday without him realizing it.

“We have to cherish these moments and celebrate these moments,” Williams said. “Our goal [last year] was so focused on a championship, we looked past clinching the division, clinching the playoffs and clinching home-court advantage. All that makes the main goal that much sweeter.

“That’s kind of funny that we didn’t come in here and acknowledge it. I’m kind of disappointed in that.”

James made sure that was the only reason to go home disappointed, taking over late after Indiana cut an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter to one. James had six points, two blocks, two steals and an assist in the final four minutes, including a nifty dunk behind his head after catching an alley-oop pass from Anderson Varejao. James fell a rebound and an assist shy of his second triple-double in two nights.

“That’s all phases of my game in a couple possessions,” James said. “That solidifies who I am on both sides of the floor.”

Troy Murphy had 19 points and 15 rebounds for the last-place Pacers.